DD Motorcycles: BMW R1250R R1250GS left cylinder ticking noise (new tensioner 11317108586)

BMW R1250R R1250GS left cylinder ticking noise

Boxer engine has 2 cam chains. Left and right. Left one is 6 teeth longer than right because of engine design. So in order to tight both chains with the same force, you need more strength in left side.

My understanding is that while the sound is annoying, it does not cause any harm, or else we would have lots 2019-(early) 2021 model bikes having issues (since it is the same part). Most folks probably shrug and think it is part of the charm, or don’t hear it at all (I need to tilt my head down to hear it). This is also the reason that it is not a recall by BMW (for now)

The new tensioner is about 7mm longer than the old one. The internal “piston” looks the same. The difference seems to be the inside depth of the outer part. The other difference is that the old one required a 17mm wrench, while the new one requires 19mm. This is great because it makes it easy to tell which one you have.

I laid the bike on the right side, waited about 2 minutes and pulled the tensioner and threaded the new one in. I lost maybe 3 drops of oil.

The tensioner is spring loaded, so you need to push it in and screw it in at the same time.